Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people in each county, her Department estimates are eligible for the general practitioner only medical card; the number of persons who have a GP only medical card in each county; if there is a quota system in place; and if so, the location of each in each county in relation to its quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7227/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. A person's eligibility to a medical card or GP visit card is only determined following application to the Health Service Executive (HSE). There is no quota system in place in respect of these benefits.

As the Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.